BPKP to audit anticorruption body after President’s controversial statements

The State Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP) said Thursday it would audit the financial accountability and performance of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) after President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made a statement that the KPK needed an “early warning”.

BPKP chief Didi Widayadi said his office had received an indirect instruction from the President who was apparently disturbed by the KPK’s wiretapping.

“We will work professionally and not direct this audit into political matters,” Didi told kompas.com at the KPK building in South Jakarta.

On Wednesday’s visit to Kompas daily newspaper office, Yudhoyono warned that the KPK had become too powerful, saying its power must not go unchecked.

Didi said his office would work with the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) and the Information and Communication Ministry to conduct a technical audit of the wiretapping methods.

The BPKP would submit the results of the audit to the President and would not publish it publicly.

“The President will receive the report and make a decision,” Didi said.